Total synthesis and biological assessment of (-)-exiguolide and analogues

We describe herein an enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide, the natural enantiomer. The methylene bis(tetrahydropyran) substructure was efficiently synthesized by exploiting olefin cross-metathesis for the assembly of readily available acyclic segments and intramolecular oxa-conjugate cyclization and reductive etherification for the formation of the tetrahydropyran rings. The 20-membered macrocyclic framework was constructed in an efficient manner by means of Julia-Kocienski coupling and Yamaguchi macrolactonization. Finally, the (E,Z,E)-triene side chain was introduced stereoselectively via Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to complete the total synthesis. Assessment of the growth inhibitory activity of synthetic (-)-exiguolide against a panel of human cancer cell lines elucidated for the first time that this natural product is an effective antiproliferative agent against the NCI-H460 human lung large cell carcinoma and the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Moreover, we have investigated structure-activity relationships of (-)-exiguolide, which elucidated that the C5-methoxycarbonylmethylidene group and the length of the side chain are important for the potent activity.     

A novel, bio-reducible gene vector containing arginine and histidine enhances gene transfection and expression of plasmid DNA

We have engineered a novel, non-viral, multifunctional gene vector (STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C) that contained stearoyl (STR) and a block peptide consisting of Cys (C), His (H), and Arg (R). STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C can form a stable nano-complex with plasmid DNA (pDNA) based on electronic interactions and disulfide cross linkages. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C as a gene vector. We first determined the optimal weight ratio for STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C/pDNA complexes. The complexes with a weight ratio of 50 showed the highest transfection efficacy. We also examined the transfection efficacy of STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C/pDNA complexes with or without serum and compared STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C/pDNA transfection efficacy with that of Lipofectamine. Even in the presence of serum, STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C showed higher transfection efficacy than did Lipofectamine. In addition, we determined the mechanism of transfection of the STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C/pDNA complexes using various cellular uptake inhibitors and evaluated its endosomal escape ability using chloroquine. Macropinocytosis was main cellular uptake pathway of STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C/pDNA complexes. Our results suggested that STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C is a promising gene delivery system.     

Synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase-12 inhibitory activity of ageladine A analogs

Synthesis of the 37 ageladine A analogs was accomplished by employing the total synthetic route of natural ageladine A previously explored by us. From the matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) inhibitory activity assay carried out using the novel analogs, it appeared evident that the halogen atom at the 2-position of pyrrole ring was essential for the inhibitory activity and that the introduction of a bromine atom into the 4-position of pyrrole ring is very effective for producing potent activity. In addition, exchange of the pyrrole ring to an imidazole ring was extremely effective in increasing activity, and the analog 29 thus obtained was found to show approximately 4 times more potent activity than natural ageladine A.     

Cyclotron resonance and mass enhancement by electron correlation in KFe2As2

Cyclotron resonance (CR) measurements for the Fe-based superconductor KFe(2)As(2) are performed. One signal for CR is observed, and is attributed to the two-dimensional α Fermi surface at the Γ point. We found a large discrepancy in the effective masses of CR [(3.4±0.05)m(e) (m(e) is the free-electron mass)] and de Haas-van Alphen results, a direct evidence of mass enhancement due to electronic correlation. A comparison of the CR and de Haas-van Alphen results shows that both intra- and interband electronic correlations contribute to the mass enhancement in KFe(2)As(2).     

Structural Analysis of Triacylglycerols by Using a MALDI-TOF/TOF System with Monoisotopic Precursor Selection

A new MALDI-TOF/TOF system with monoisotopic precursor selection was applied to the analysis of triacylglycerols in an olive oil sample. Monoisotopic precursor selection made it possible to obtain product-ion mass spectra without interference from species that differed by a single double bond. Complete structure determination of all triacylglycerols, including structural isomers, was made possible by interpreting the charge-remote fragmentation resulting from high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the sodiated triacylglycerols.      

Controlled Polymerization of Protic Ionic Liquid Monomer by ARGET‐ATRP and TERP

The direct synthesis of structurally well‐defined protic polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) with controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distribution is examined using N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloylethyl) ammonium bis(tri‐fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMH‐TFSI) as a monomer. Three polymerization methods, namely, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET)‐ATRP, and organotellurium‐mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) are employed in this study. While the polymerization by ATRP is slow and does not reach high monomer conversion that under ARGET‐ATRP and TERP proceeds smoothly and affords structurally well‐defined poly(DEMH‐TFSI)s. TERP is especially efficient for the control and poly(DEMH‐TFSI)s with low to high molecular weights ( = 49 100–392 500) and narrow molecular weight distributions (/ = 1.17–1.46) are obtained. These results represent the first example of synthesis of a structurally well‐defined protic, ammonium PIL by direct polymerization of the protic ionic liquid monomer. The polymerization of N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloylethyl)‐N‐methylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (DEMM‐TFSI), which possesses a quaternary ammonium salt, also proceeds in a highly controlled manner under TERP conditions. A diblock copolymer, polystyrene‐block‐poly(DEMH‐TFSI), is also successfully synthesized by TERP.

     

Partial Charge Transfer in the Shortest Possible Metallofullerene Peapod,La@C82⊂[11]Cycloparaphenylene

[11]Cycloparaphenylene ([11]CPP) selectively encapsulates La@C₈₂ to form the shortest possible metallofullerene–carbon nanotube (CNT) peapod, La@C₈₂?[11]CPP, in solution and in the solid state. Complexation in solution was affected by the polarity of the solvent and was 16 times stronger in the polar solvent nitrobenzene than in the nonpolar solvent 1,2‐dichlorobenzene. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the redox potentials of La@C₈₂ were negatively shifted upon complexation from free La@C₈₂. Furthermore, the shifts in the redox potentials increased with polarity of the solvent. These results are consistent with formation of a polar complex, (La@C₈₂)^δ??[11]CPP^δ+, by partial electron transfer from [11]CPP to La@C₈₂. This is the first observation of such an electronic interaction between a fullerene pea and CPP pod. Theoretical calculations also supported partial charge transfer (0.07) from [11]CPP to La@C₈₂. The structure of the complex was unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, which showed the La atom inside the C₈₂ near the periphery of the [11]CPP. The dipole moment of La@C₈₂ was projected toward the CPP pea, nearly perpendicular to the CPP axis. The position of the La atom and the direction of the dipole moment in La@C₈₂?[11]CPP were significantly different from those observed in La@C₈₂?CNT, thus indicating a difference in orientation of the fullerene peas between fullerene–CPP and fullerene–CNT peapods. These results highlight the importance of pea–pea interactions in determining the orientation of the metallofullerene in metallofullerene–CNT peapods.     

Silyl Ligand Mediated Reversible β‐Hydrogen Elimination and Hydrometalation at Palladium

The mechanism and origin of the facile β‐hydrogen elimination and hydrometalation of a palladium complex bearing a phenylene‐bridged PSiP pincer ligand are clarified. Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrate a new mechanism for β‐hydrogen elimination and hydrometalation mediated by a silyl ligand at palladium, which enables direct interconversion between an ethylpalladium(II) complex and an η²‐(Si‐H)palladium(0) complex without formation of a square‐planar palladium(II) hydride intermediate. The flexibility of the PSiP pincer ligand enables it to act as an efficient scaffold to deliver the hydrogen atom as a hydride ligand.     

Hydrogen‐Bond and Metal–Ligand Coordination Bond Hybrid Supramolecular Capsules: Identification of Hemicapsular Intermediate and Dual Control of Guest Exchange Dynamics

Hybrid supramolecular capsules self‐assemble by simultaneously forming hydrogen and metal–ligand coordination bonds on mixing a C₂‐symmetrical cavitand (calix[4]resorcinarene‐based cavitands with ureide and terminal 4‐pyridyl units) with platinum or palladium complexes ([Pt(OTf)₂] or [Pd(OTf)₂] with chelating bisphosphines) in 1:1 ratio. Hemicapsular assemblies formed in the presence of excess amounts of cavitand relative to the platinum or palladium complexes are identified as intermediates in the above self‐assembly process by 2D‐NOESY spectroscopy. External‐anion‐assisted encapsulation of a neutral guest, 4,4′‐diiodobiphenyl, inside the hybrid supramolecular capsules accompanied conformational changes in the hydrogen‐bonding moieties. The in/out exchange ratio of the encapsulated guest depends on the bite angle of the bisphosphine ligand. Addition of DMSO accelerates guest exchange by weakening the hydrogen bonds in the encapsulation complex. Therefore, variations in the structure of the metal complex and amount of polar solvent exert dual control on the dynamics of the guest exchange.